Take a look at this group of some of my favorite purple perennial flowers. All are easy to grow and look great in the garden.
Perennials are my favorite plants to grow in the garden because there are many different shapes in all kinds of colors and of course, they come back each year giving you more bang for your buck.
Easy Purple Flowering Perennials
Though they maybe be called "blue" this group of flowers are all in the purple or violet family in my mind. Some plants such as "Purple Coneflower" to me are really pink so I did not include them in this list. However, they are also a great perennial plant.
The following list gives you the scientific name and variety or cultivar, if known, of each plant. I have also given you the common names of the plant. In addition, their plant hardiness USDA zone, sun requirements, height and width, and other characteristics are listed.
Overall this group of perennials are easy low-maintenance plants that bloom at different times of the year including late spring, and early summer with some blooming all the way until frost in the fall.
I hope you enjoy these pretty purple perennials and can add a few to your garden this year.
Monarda didyma 'Blue Stocking'
- Common Name(s): Bee Balm, Bergamot
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 3 ft x 1.5 ft
- Special Characteristics: Loved by bees and other pollinators. The flowers and leaves have a pretty citrusy fragrance. The leaves are edible and have been used as a tea called Oswego Tea by the Oswego Tribe of American Indians.
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
- Common Name(s): English Lavender
- Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun
- Size: 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft
- Special Characteristics: This variety has very dark purple flowers. Can be used in cooking and all kinds of herbal crafts. See 20+ Ways to Use Lavender in the Home for a few great ideas.
Iris germanica
- Common Name(s): German bearded Iris, Flag
- Hardiness Zone: 3 to 10
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun
- Size: 2 ft x 1 ft
- Special Characteristics: Bearded iris can be found in a wide variety of sizes and colors. They make great cut flowers and are typically deer resistant and drought-tolerant.
Geranium 'Orion'
- Common Name(s): Cranesbill, Hardy Geranium
- Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 2 ft x 3 ft
- Special Characteristics: This one has a beautiful free flowing growing habit and cottage garden feel. The small delicate flowers sway atop lacy green foliage that sometimes turns shades of red in the fall. They are not bothered by deer and butterflies love them.
Salvia sylvestris 'May Night'
- Common Name(s): Ornamental Sage, Wood Sage, Meadow Sage
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 2 ft x 1 ft
- Special Characteristics: Named perennial plant of the year in 1997. Very dark purple blooms are fragrant and last well in flower arrangements. Drought and deer tolerant. You can cut back the spent blooms to encourage reblooming in late summer.
Campanula glomerata
- Common Name(s): Clustered Bellflower
- Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 1.5 ft x 1 ft
- Special Characteristics: Loved by hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant. Works well in flower arrangements.
Aquilegia vulgaris 'plena'
- Common Name(s): Columbine
- Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 3 ft x 2 ft
- Special Characteristics: Self seeds and blooms early in the spring. Attracts hummingbirds and is deer resistant.
Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Common Name(s): Russian Sage
- Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun
- Size: 4 ft x 4 ft
- Special Characteristics: Perennial plant of the year in 1995. Drought and deer tolerant. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Nice cut flower and dries well for crafting.
Clematis Vine
- Common Name(s): Clematis
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 8 ft x 2 ft
- Special Characteristics: There are many varieties of the clematis vine in all kinds of purple shades. I'm not sure of the variety of this one but it blooms in spring with double deep purple flowers similar to Jackmanii.
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
- Common Name(s): Ornamental Onion
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 2.5 ft x 1 ft
- Special Characteristics: Attracts butterflies. Deer, rabbit, and drought tolerant. Seed heads are pretty and look great in arrangements.
Centaurea montana
- Common Name(s): Mountain Cornflower, Moutain Bluet, Bachelor's Button
- Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 2.5 ft x 1 ft
- Special Characteristics: Attracts bees and butterflies. Very drought tolerant. Good for flower arrangements. Some say this is invasive but I have not found it to be a problem.
Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip'
- Common Name(s): Bugleweed
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Size: 4 inches to 12 inches
- Special Characteristics: Makes a pretty ground cover or border plant. Resistant to deer and rabbits. The dark green leaves are glossy and pretty on their own.
Hosta 'Gold Drop'
- Common Name(s): Plantain Lily
- Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
- Sun Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
- Size: 8 inches to 18 inches
- Special Characteristics: Many hosta blooms are shades of purple. This one is a miniature that works well in containers.
Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low'
- Common Name(s): Catmint
- Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Size: 2.5 ft x 3 ft
- Special Characteristics: Perennial plant of the year in 2021. A true favorite of mine. Beautiful flowers for months and if it gets rangy you can cut it back for more blooms. Deer, rabbit, drought tolerant. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators love it. Makes a good cut flower too. Learn more about Catmint here.
Anemone blanda
- Common Name(s): Grecian windflower
- Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
- Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Size: 6 inches x 6 inches
- Special Characteristics: One of the first flowers to appear in early spring after winter, these pretty lilac flowers that resemble daisies are a sight for sore eyes. Sadly, they are ephemeral meaning they disappear after a few weeks but will return the next year.
More Great Purple Perennials to Love
- Delphinium
- Larkspur
- Lupine
- Veronica
- Baptisia
- Daylily
- Verbena
- Phlox
- Boltonia
- Aster
- Monkshood
- Scabiosa
- Liatris
- Anise Hyssop
Can you ever have too many purple flowers in the garden? I don't think so.
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More Perennial Plant Ideas
Rosemary
Great list! Thanks!
Patti Estep
Glad you like it Rosemary.